Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Flowering period: Mid to late spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 6m
Eventual Spread: 6m
Hardiness: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Magnoliaceae
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ is a deciduous large shrub or small tree with a bushy habit. Its glossy mid green leaves are elliptic with entire margins, up to 20cm long and 7cm broad. Its bark is quite smooth and gray. Its fragrant pink flowers emerge from large buds and open to saucer shape and are up to 25cm across. Its fruit appear as groups of red seeds.
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’, commonly known as Magnolia, is a cross between Magnolia campbellii and Magnolia lilliflora. This cross was produced by Oswald Blumhart of New Zealand.
The etymological root of the binomial name Magnolia was named after Pierre Magnol, a 17th century French botanist.
The landscape architect may find Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ useful as a spring flowering specimen large shrub/ small tree. It prefers a sheltered location.
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ Flower (21/04/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ flowers are attractive to some pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to some birds.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ prefers moist, humus rich, fertile, well-drained soils. It prefers a neutral to acidic pH of soil.
Magnolia ‘Star Wars’ requires little maintenance. Pruning, if required, should be carried out in midsummer.
